Shivani Pandit

Background

About Shivani Pandit

Experienced Special Educator with a rich history of dedicating 30+ years to the field. Holds a Master's and Doctorate in Special Education from Rutgers University, New Jersey, complemented by a Bachelor's degree in Special Education from India. She specialized in Incidental Teaching strategies and Intensive Early Behavioral Therapy techniques for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (birth-five years of age). Having completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Minnesota, MN, she earned an MS in Non-Profit Management from Columbia University, NY. Served as an Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Specialist at the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) Early Learning Services. Led the conception and execution of the "MN Centers of Excellence for Young Children with Disabilities," a regional professional development initiative initiated by the state department. Possesses expertise in fostering early identification for children with disabilities. Completed a post-doctoral fellowship with the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) program at the University of Minnesota in 2012. Recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a "Learn the Signs Act Early"(LTSAE) Ambassador for Minnesota in the same year. Passionate about leveraging knowledge and skills to contribute to early intervention and support for children with disabilities in Minnesota. As the founder-director of Saamarthya Foundation, USA, Dr. Pandit leads the non-profit organization committed to offering evidence-based professional development and advocacy resources for individuals with disabilities in India, their families, and the professionals supporting them. Her focus lies in delivering high-quality and accessible interventions for children with Autism and Intellectual disabilities, particularly for families facing financial constraints and those encountering difficulties accessing services due to infrastructural barriers. Saamarthya Foundation emphasizes innovative public awareness strategies to enhance the identification of children with disabilities. The organization is dedicated to delivering tailored interventions for children with Autism and Intellectual disabilities while providing essential parent training and advocacy services to families and children grappling with disabilities. Driven by passion, Dr. Shivani Pandit is making significant strides in addressing the unique challenges faced by these communities.